MINSK, 16 October (BelTA) — Nowadays, geopolitical players often use elections to undermine stability in a state, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Igor Karpenko said during a national conference to discuss the formation of legal culture among young people, BelTA has learned.
"In modern conditions, elections are often subjected to external interference and hybrid influence. Geopolitical players use them to undermine stability in a state," Igor Karpenko said. "During the entire period of sovereign development, the Belarusian society has been exposed to the idea that the national electoral system is flawed. The goal was to undermine the trust in electoral procedures. At the same time they have cultivated the image of Western democracy, its alleged uniqueness and universality. We are criticized, for example, for early voting, while in the ‘democratic’ United States voting in some states begins 50 days before elections. It is even possible to vote by mail. We are criticized for the lack of curtains in voting booths, while in some ‘developed democracies’ cardboard screens are installed at best."
The CEC chairman pointed out that unfortunately, international organizations such as the OSCE designed to ensure cooperation and security in Europe, have become a tool for imposing "corrupt political elites" on states.
"In modern conditions, elections are often subjected to external interference and hybrid influence. Geopolitical players use them to undermine stability in a state," Igor Karpenko said. "During the entire period of sovereign development, the Belarusian society has been exposed to the idea that the national electoral system is flawed. The goal was to undermine the trust in electoral procedures. At the same time they have cultivated the image of Western democracy, its alleged uniqueness and universality. We are criticized, for example, for early voting, while in the ‘democratic’ United States voting in some states begins 50 days before elections. It is even possible to vote by mail. We are criticized for the lack of curtains in voting booths, while in some ‘developed democracies’ cardboard screens are installed at best."
The CEC chairman pointed out that unfortunately, international organizations such as the OSCE designed to ensure cooperation and security in Europe, have become a tool for imposing "corrupt political elites" on states.
"Our response to the criticism is high-quality legal regulation of the electoral framework and procedures in Belarus. The CIS Convention on Standards of Democratic Elections, Electoral Rights and Freedoms is a single document in force in the CIS space. According to the report issued by the CIS IPA International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens following the single voting day, the Belarusian legislation fully complies with international standards of democratic elections," Igor Karpenko added.
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